Future Watch: The AHL's under-20 all-stars - TheHockeyNews
Only 5 players to make the list, (2 are Red Wings!)
"Moritz Seider, D (Grand Rapids)
Detroit Red Wings fans who were upset about the team taking Seider in the first round in June (sixth overall) are quickly changing their tune. With eight points in 17 games, Seider has immediately found himself playing alongside Gustav Lindstrom on the Griffins’ top pairing on a team full of young talent. It’s nice to see Seider adjusting well to the North American game after showing promise in a limited role in the German league, leaving teams to question just how good he could possibly be. The 6-foot-3 defenseman will be Germany’s most important rearguard at the World Junior Championship next month, so it’ll be interesting to see if that mid-season break helps or hurts his play for the second half of the campaign."
"Joe Veleno, C (Grand Rapids)
Veleno is a project that the Red Wings should be thrilled about. Sure, he’s the only player the QMJHL has ever granted exceptional status and the second player after Sean Day to earn the exclusive honor in the CHL to not make the NHL right away, but that’s completely OK. The Red Wings are still building towards the future and allowing Veleno to gel with other young guns in a similar position will have its benefits once the team is ready to contend. In his first 18 games of pro action, Veleno has eight points while starting to adjust his game to the more physical nature of the AHL. Yes, he’s being outperformed by guys like Seider and Filip Zadina, but learning from veterans such as Chris Terry and Matt Puempel on an offensively gifted club like Grand Rapids has allowed Veleno to become a more rounded two-way player. Patience is key with Veleno, who’ll be one of Canada’s most important players at the World Junior Championship next month."